Labor Day service: Actions Speak Louder

Please come to Church this Labor Day Sunday, and enjoy a great sermon about True Charity.

Happy Labor Day!

——————-.——————-

Psalm 127 :1

Unless the Lord builds the house,
They labor in vain who build it;
Unless the Lord guards the city,
The watchman stays awake in vain…

Psalm 128:1-2.

Blessed are all who fear the Lord,
who walk in obedience to him.
You will eat the fruit of your labor;
blessings and prosperity will be yours…

Divine Wisdom 11[4]. Use is to perform one’s office and to do one’s work rightly, faithfully, sincerely, and justly.
It is only known obscurely and only by some what is really meant in the Word by the goods of charity, which are called “good works,” also “fruits,” and here uses. From the sense of the letter of the Word it is believed that they consist in giving to the poor, assisting the needy, doing good to widows and orphans, and like things. But such uses are not meant in the Word by “fruits,” “works,” and goods of charity;” but it means performing one’s office, business, and work rightly, faithfully, sincerely, and justly. When this is done the general or public good is consulted, also one’s country, a society greater and less, the fellow-citizen, companion and brother, who, as has been said above, are the neighbor in a broad and in a restricted sense. For when this is done every one, whether he be a priest, governor or officer, a merchant, or a laborer, is every day doing uses; a priest by preaching, a governor or officer by his administrative work, a merchant by trading, and a laborer by his work. As for example, a judge who judges rightly, faithfully, sincerely, and justly, is doing uses to the neighbor as often as he judges; a minister in like manner as often as he teaches; so in other instances. That such uses are meant by the goods of charity and by “works” is evident from the Lord’s government in the heavens. In the heavens as in the world, all are engaged in some function or service, or in some office or work; and every individual enjoys magnificence, wealth, and happiness, according to his fidelity, sincerity and justice therein. One who is lazy and slothful is not admitted into heaven, but is cast out either into hell, or into a desert place where he lives in want and misery. Such things in the heavens are called goods of charity, works and uses. Every one who has been faithful, sincere and just in his employment and work in the world is faithful, sincere, and just when he has left the world; and he is received in heaven by the angels.